EASTPORT, LONG ISLAND

Eastport, Long Island

Eastport is located in Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, there were 1,454 people, 554 households, and 373 families residing in this area. The median income for a household in the CDP was $50,550 and the median income for a family was $52,917. Males had a median income of $40,163 while only $35,000 for females.

Eastport is known as the duck capital of the world for its plenty of Peking ducks which were introduced to the United States from China in 1873. By the early 1900’s, there were approximately 29 farms in this hamlet and produced about 6.5 million of the ducks going to market. In the late 1960s, the farmers were forced to build pollution pits to divert the duck waste from waterways because of the pressures of pollution which put most of the duck farms out of business. Today, only one family has actively operated a duck farm in Eastport and Chet Massey, which is the only duck farmer left. It seems to not be much worry as the hamlet has evolved into the leading center of the aquaculture industry on the East Coast. It produces millions of pounds of fresh farm raised Atlantic salmon each year. It is a site of booming sardine fishing and the canning industry.

Eastport is one of the lesser-traveled ways to the South Fork. A part of Sunrise Highway where there is no hard traffic between Center Moriches and Remensburg is sometimes used. There are also wonderful destinations spots nearby in addition to the waterways. Moriches Bay is also known as the finest restaurant in Eastport where the food is just as impressive as the freshness of fish. Here combined gentle cooking with wonderful atmosphere creates some memorable evenings. Tourism is also a growing industry in Eastport for there is great natural beauty that surrounds the entire hamlet. On any other day providing the right season, you can see the captivating wildlife in the area such as whales, seals, sea birds, and even bald eagles.

Eastport has a number of art galleries, an art center, and two museums to offer. It is a good place for recreational activities such as tennis, mini-golf, ice-skating rinks, basketball courts, two golf courses, birding, and water fishing. The hamlet offers quality education and a fine education system. It has a new elementary school and a regional high school. The Marine Technology Center, a branch of the Washington County Technical College, offers training in boat building as well as commercial fishing. The University of Maine at Machias is only a few distance away. The municipal airport in Eastport is capable of receiving corporate jets such as flights to Bangor, Portland, and Boston as well as sight seeing flights.